By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
JALINGO (PRECISE POST) – The North East Development Commission (NEDC), in collaboration with Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, has successfully conducted free eye care medical outreach in Yorro and Gassol Local Government Areas of Taraba State, providing essential eye care services to 2,187 residents.
The outreach, which began on February 10, 2025, in Yorro and ended on Sunday in Gassol local government area of the state was aimed at reducing cases of preventable blindness and vision impairment in underserved communities.
Speaking at the closing ceremony in Gassol, the Deputy General Manager, Health and Humanitarian Affairs Directorate, North East Development Commission, Dr. Batulu Isa Mohammed, noted that the commission was committed to improving access to quality healthcare in rural areas.
She added that the intervention aligns with the NEDC’s broader mission to enhance public health services in the North East.
On his part, the Executive Director of Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, Prof. Olukorede Adenuga, expressed happiness over the impact of the free eyecare services, noting that many visually impaired individuals in state have had their sight restored through the initiative.
“This programme is transforming lives, particularly in rural communities. Through this initiative, we have successfully tackle treatable conditions like cataracts and presbyopia,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries including Florence Ngenge and Nehemiah Yohanna, who spoke to our correspondent expressed gratitude to the NEDC and Kolmarg for providing a healing platform for many virtually impaired persons.
“We successfully underwent cataract surgeries, and many were treated of several eye related problems. I never thought I would see clearly again. This is a miracle,” Ngenge said.
Yohanna also praised the NEDC for bringing such life-changing medical support to the grassroots, even as community leaders commended the initiative and called for more periodic medical interventions to address healthcare challenges in Taraba.
Our correspondent reports that the free eye care services provided comprehensive eye screenings, free prescription glasses, eye medications, and surgical interventions for residents of Yorro and Gassol local government areas.
